The Bottom Line
Pros
- Straightforward, easy-to-read prose
- Includes case studies to bring ideas to life
- Describes many real-life situations
- Most strategies offered are realistic
Cons
- "Remedies" are very repetitive
- Situations are too generalized
- Answers may be oversimplified
Description
- Collection of short "how-to" essays for parents.
- Focuses largely on behavioral tools for daily life.
- Written by autism experts D. Betts, N. Patrick
- Published in 2006 by Jessica Kingley Publishing
Guide Review - Book Review: Homespun Remedies by D. Betts, N. Patrick
The full title of this book by Bion Betts, Ed.D. and Nancy Patrick, Ph.D., is Homespun Remedies: Strategies in the Home and Community for Children with Autism Spectrum and Other Disorders. It's a collection of mini-essays on a wide range of situations that arise in the lives of parents of children with autism. Each little chapter includes a real story of a parents' conundrum, an analysis of the situation, and a set of recommendations for similar or better outcomes.In general, the authors recommend a combined approach that prepares the child with autism for a new or complex situation and also prepares and/or adapts the environment to improve the odds of success. They're quite specific, in many cases, about how parents might break down a task into small, bite-sized bits ("task analysis").
The book's final chapter is actually a terrific resource - assuming you're looking for a quick, pithy overview of behavioral approaches to managing autism. In it, they explain exactly what is meant by a behavior plan, describe direct instruction, and provide a clear description of what a visual schedule should look like.
The down side: This book focuses almost exclusively on behavioral techniques - which means that parents seeking, for example, alternatives to gluten and cassein at a birthday party will find this book very frustrating. And while it addresses a wide range of real life situations, it's light on the details that parents crave - where to fine an appropriate babysitter, for example.
